The former player: 'I really wanted to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in late 2022
